AN ‘Uber-for-buses’ service has exceeded expectations following its launch and new passengers including arriving students are now being urged to sign up.

About 10,000 registered users have now completed more than 20,000 journeys on the eastern side of Oxford to date, which is ahead of the predicted uptake.

PickMeUp, which Oxford Bus Company began operating on June 25, allows passengers in eastern Oxford to use an app to summon buses to pick them up on a street corner of their choice, before they are taken to a selected destination in the area.

The iPhone App Store gives PickMeUp a 3.6 out of five rating, while the company says ratings given to individual drivers are averaging 4.8 out of five.

Godders213’s review on the App store said: “Picked up within five minutes, after a two-minute walk, and dropped off close to my destination. Cash free made it simple. Fantastic, straightforward and friendly service; no complaints here.”

The service, the largest of its kind to be launched by a UK bus company, has won mostly positive reviews from passengers.

Phil Southall, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “We’re delighted with the response to this new service - it has exceeded our expectations and is continuing to grow.

“The service and associated technology is still in its infancy and we would encourage people to continue to support it to ensure it progresses. With the new university year now due to start we have also noticed students have already begun to sign up to the app.

“This is a new idea in transport, using the very latest mapping and co-ordination technology, and it’s got the potential to be part of the solution in tackling air quality and traffic congestion.

“The technology behind the app is continuing to evolve and next week we will be conducting a passenger survey to gather feedback."

However, it has not been an entirely smooth ride for the new service, with some passengers reporting their scheduled bus did not show up.

The service covers the railway station, Thornhill and Redbridge park-and-rides, the science park, Oxford Business Park, the John Radcliffe, Churchill and NOC hospitals, university science area and Brookes University.

It operates between 6am and 11pm Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 7.30pm on Saturday and 8.30am to 7pm on Sundays, with an average response time of around 10 minutes. The introductory fare of £2.50 per journey is still being charged, with a surcharge of £2.50 if the journey could be made using an existing Oxford Bus Company bus route and the walk is 200 metres or less.

Multi-journey passes are available as well as corporate packages.

Oxford Bus Company invested £850,000 in six 17-seater ultra-low emission Euro 6 minibuses, with wi-fi and wheelchair access.